Osiris let out a sharp yelp and jumped backward, almost tripping over a child who had been hiding behind a barrel to watch. He scrambled up and bolted.
"Help," he shouted. "I did nothing. Isabella, tell them to stop. Isabella."
She sniffed again and folded her arms.
"Do not run too far," she called. "If you die in the snow, I will be short one extra worker."
Her voice had regained some strength.
Cyrus and Zyran chased Osiris around the inner yard. The phoenix was fast, even with sealed powers, but he was also an idiot. He kept turning his head to argue, which slowed him down.
"You two are crazy," he yelled. "It was just a joke."
"You insulted our pregnant female," Zyran answered. "That is a sin punishable by at least three bruises."
Cyrus did not say anything. His silence was worse.
